Button-affixing machine



.July 24, 192s.

F. F. LANGLEY BUTTON AFFIXING MACHINE original Filed March 22. 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 July 24, 1928. 1,678,616

F. F. LANGLl-:Y

BUTTON AFFIXING MACHINE Original Filed March 22. 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 July 24, 1923.

" F. F. LANGLEY BUTTON AFFIXING MACHINE Original Filed March 22. 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 July 24, 1928. F. F. L ANGLEY BUTTON AFFIXING MACHINE Original Filed March 22. 1922 4 shets-sheet 4 Patented July 24, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. i

FRANK F. LANGLEY, 0F DETROIT, lVlICHIGr'iLN,v ASSIGNOR T0 UNIVERSAL-BUTTON kFASTIENI1\`I'(:`r & BUTTON CO., OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION 40F MICHI- GAN.

BUTTON-.AFFIXIN G MACHNE.

Application led March 22, 1922, Serial No. 545,782. Renewed November 116, 192'?.4

This invention relates to machines for alixing buttons and fasteners or the like.

Among other objects the invention is intended to provide reliable. and improved mechanism for placing a button in a predetermined position relative toits fastener so that the button and fastenerfmay be properly united. y

`The invention consists in the novel constructions, combinations and arrangements, hereinafter described or claimed, for carrying out the above stated object and such other yobjects as will appear from the following description.,` The character of the invention may be best understood by referring to one illustrative machine embodying the invention and shown in the accompanying drawings.

In said drawings: v

Fig. l is a side elevation of the'machlne.

Fig. 2 is aside elevation, partly in section, of the other' side of the machine. i Fig. 8 isla front elevation ofthe machine.

Fig. t is a 'plansect-ion, slightly enlarged compared with the assembled views, taken approximately along the line 4 1 of F ig.`

l2 and illustrating the button positioning device and button carrier.

Figs. 5 and 6 are vertical sections of the button. positioning device illustrating the positions assumed during different parts of the cycle of operation. y

Fig. 'Tis a plan view of a button deposited on the button positioning device before the same has been rotated to its proper position.

Fig. 8 is a section of t-he button positionv ing device taken along the line 848 of Fig. 5. o l o Figs. 9 and 10 illustrate a typical button and fastener respectively. Y

In general the machine comprises means for delivering buttons and fasteners or the like to mechanisms ,which carry a button and fastener respectively to setting or affixing position. Other mechanism, termed setting mechanism, cooperating with the delivery vmechanisms,unites a button to the fabric or the like by means of the fastener delivered to the setting point. v

The typical fastener isv one, as illustrated in Fig. 10, having a head and a pair of projecting prongs or legs. The typical button is one having a transverse bar or equivalent member about which the prongs of the fasits fastener.

tener are intended to be bent or with'which the prongs engage for the purpose of secure ing the button'in place. It is necessary in uniting such a button by meansbf a double pronged fastener, prior to setting the prongs about the bar of the button, that the bar occupy a denite position relative to the prongs to enable the prongs to straddle the bar when the fastener kand button are brought into engagement, An improved device is provided, in the machine, for so positioning the button that at the setting point, its bar occupies a definite or predetermined position relative to the prongs of y This improved device is shown in connection with illustrative mechanisms and devices for eftectingthe supply and delivery of buttons and fasteners as stated above. VThese mechanisms are in general similar tov those shown in the patent to McKay 687,254. Other such mechanisms may be employed 4in place of those illustrated. y

In the drawings, the fastener handling mechanism comprises a fastener receptacle or hopper 10 having suitable means for delivering fasteners to the fastener raceway 12 with the prongs of the fasteners straddling the member 13 and retained thereon by the member 14. The particular device for so supplying the fasteners forms no vpart of the invention and need not be illustrated. Any suitable ,device may be employed.l The mechanism .for operating such device is illustrated generally at 15 and comprises a connecting rod operated by a rotating crank 16,v connected with a pulley 17V, mounted on y a shaft 18.

Suitable tripping devices 19 and `2() are 'provided for dropping one fastener at `a time at the proper moment. Means are provided for rotating the fastener after it has been dropped by the tripping device, substantially a quarter of a turn. The fastener then slides down the inclined surface 21 approximately `to a position illustrated in dotted lines at 22, with one prong in advance of the other where it is engaged by a reciprocating slide 23 which pushes itfor- Ward to the setting position 24. The head of the fastenerrests on ananvil or lower die 25 and is held between a pair of jaws 26 capable of being drawn downwardly over the anvil 25 to open to release the Til) fastener during and after the setting operation.

Suitable operating mechanism for coordinating the movements of the various devices is provided. This comprises a main cam 27 which operates a lever 28 pivoted at 29 for reciprocating the slide 23 `and also for actuating the fastener tripping devices 19 and 20 by vmeans of the projection 30. The main cam' also operates the lever 31 for lowering' the jaws 26 at the proper time.

The button supply mechanism comprises a. hopper or receptacle 32, shown only in part in Fig.` 2. within which is a suitable device for supplying buttons to the button raceway 33, with the tops of the buttons facing the front of the machine. This device forms no part of the invention and need not be described. Tt is operated also by the reciprocating connecting rod 15 (see Fig. 1). A suitable button tripping device 34'is positioned near the bottom of the button raceway and arranged to release one button at a time at the proper moment. lVhen a button is released, it slides to the bottoni of the raceway and falls upon the button positioning device 35 with the face of the button upward, as illustrated at 36 (see Fig. 6).

The illustrative button positioning` device con'iprises a `cylindrical member 37 having a recess 38 in the top thereof for receiving the collet 39 of the button. Within the recess 38 is a lprojection 40 intended to enter the bottom of the button on one side of the bar 41 thereof when the button is so positioned on thel positioning device that the bar lies across the face of the projection 40, This position is illustrated inFigs. 5 and 7. When in this position, the projection prevents further rotation of thebut-ton relative to the positioning device. Any other suitable device, such as a fork for example, may be employed for holding the button in the positioning device against rotation, when it occupies a definite position relative thereto. n Y

The positioning device formed with a spiral Groove 42, havingan upper portion 43 which is preferably straighaand arranged to slide within a supporter sleeve 44. The sleeve 44 is provided withthe projection 45 extending into the groove 42, by means of which the positioning device is rotatedas it moves back and forth in the sleeve 44. Suitable means, such as aL lever 46 having a stud 47 entering the groove 43 on the positioning device, are' provided for .reci arocatino` the aositionin(r device within the sleeve 44. The lever 46 is pivoted at 49 and provided with an arm 50 engaging a suitably shaped surface on the main cani 27, by means of which the positioning device may be lowered at the proper time. The arm 50 is provided with an extension 51 for operating the button dropping device 34. A

invasie spring 52 presses upwardly against the lever' 46 for holding the arm 50 against the face of the cam. This arrangement permits the positioning device 37 to be lowered independently of the main cam;

Afteraf button is dropped upon the. positioning device 37, as shown at 36, (Fig. 6), a' plunger 53 descends, engaging the top of the button and presses lightly thereon as it is lowered to prevent or retard the rotation of the button relative to the positioning devicel until it is engaged by the projection 40. The positioning device rotates in moving down, and, during its travel, comes to a position in which the projection 40 enters the space in the button along the bar 41., In this position the button rotateswith the positioning device and against the friction exerted thereon by the plunger 53. AWhen the projection 45 enters the `straight portion 43 of the groove, rotation of the positioning deviceand button ceases. The positioning device and its projection 40 are so arranged that when the former is i'ot-ated'until the projection 45 enters the groove 43, the bar of the button is in a predetermined position from which it may be removed and brought to the setting point in proper position to receive the fastener. .This arrangement is illustrated in Fig. 5, the projection 45'having just entered the straight part 43 of the groove. In the event that, when a button is dropped uponfthey positioning device, the bar thereof falls over the projection 40, no relative rotation occurs between the'button and the positioning device. The button is merely rotated until its bar is brought into proper position.

When the button is substantially in the position shown in Fig'. 5, it is `grasped by an oscillating carrier 54 which carries it to the setting point. After the carrier grasps the button the lever 46 lowers the positioning device still farther to disengage the button and permits the carrier to carry away the button. The carrier 54 comprises a jaw member 55 for grasping the head of the lili',

lill

button and pivoted at 56 to swing through the are 57 from the ositioning `device to the setting point 58. f n the latter posit-ion, namely the setting point, the bar 41 of the button occupies a position substantially transverse to the plane of the prongs of the fastener in the setting position.

After the carrier has removed a butt-on from the member 37, the latter moves upwardly and receives another button which is dropped by the button dropper 34.

The carrier 54 is oscillated bymeans of the connecting rod 59 (see Figsl and 3) connected with the arm` 60 of the carrier. The other end of the connecting rod is connected with the lever 28 at 61 from which it Vreceives its reciprocating movement. Springs 62 and 63provide a lexible'eon- Vther movement of the lever 28.

fnection with the arms thek lever 28 so that the movement of the carrier maybe arrested when the button arrives at the setting point without interfering with the furfi pin 64.- on the cariier 54: is provided to yengage a stop and arrest the movement of the `carrier when the button arrives at the setting point The carrier 54 is provided with one resilient jaw 65 to permit the button to be ejected readily therefrom by the setting mechanism.

The setting mechanism may comprise any convenient mechanism for bringing together the fastener and button sothat the prongs of the former straddle the bar of the latter, and for set-ting or bending the prongs of the fastener about the bar of the button.

SuchA mechanism may comprise, for eX- ample, an upper setting die 66, secured to a die spindle 67, reciprocating` lWithin the 'sleeve or housing y68. The die 6,6 is located directly above the setting point-58.V Suitable mechanism comprising a lever 69, pivoted at 7 O and operated by the main cam 27. is provided for reciprocatingthe die spindle 67 at the proper time; The specilic construction of thisy mechanism forms no part of the invention and is only described in general. Any other suitable mechanism for cooperating with the mechanisms above described may be employed.

rlhe die spindle 67 may-loey conveniently employed toLopera-te the plunger 53. For this purpose an arm 69 connects the plunger and the die spindle 67. The connection of the arm 69 with the plunger 53 is such that the plunger may be raised' independently of the arm. The plunger is maintained in contact with the arm 69 by means of a compression spring 70 which'is positioned between a collar 7l on thek plunger and a stationary guide 72" through which the plunger passes. By means ofvtliis connection the plunger may be raised independentlyof the movement of the die spindle `67,

and thus only a resilientior springpressure is exerted bythe plunger against the top of the button in the button positioning device. i

The pivot rod 56 ofthe `carrier 54 is arranged to slide within the frame ofthe machine to permit the carrier to be moved downwardly with the die (SG 'prior Vto the setting operation. A lever 7 3, pivoted at 74 to the frame of the machine and actuated by the mainfcam27, is provided for lowering the carrier. The movement of the carrier is so arranged that just prior to the setting` operation the downward travel of the carrier ceases, thus permitting die 66 to overtake it and eject the button therefrom in completing the setting operation.

The main cam 27 receives its power through the shaft 7 5 and ,the clutch 76. A pivoted stop 77 normally disengages the clutch at the end of eacligcycle of operations. A foot pedal 78 connected through the element 79 Vwith the stop 77 enables the stop ,to be withdrawnk from engagement with the clutch to repeat the operation and also `to permit the machine to operate conbination of aflixing mechanism, a source of button supply, mechanism for placinga button in operative relation to said ailixing mechanism, and a .rotaryy positioning device adapted to receive a button from said source of supply and transfer the'same into a position in operative relation tosaid placingmechanism, f

2. kIn ak buttonaiiixing machine, the combination of aftixing mechanism, mechanism for placing a button' inoperative relation with said atixing mechanism, a rotary positioning device for rotating -a button until it occupies a predetermined position, and

lmeans for moving said rotary positioning means to transfer the adjusted button into a positionk operative to saidvplaci-ng mechanism. f

3. Ina machine for a-iiXing bar buttons, t-he combination of button aixing mechanism including means for delivering a fastener to aiiixing position, a rotary positioning device havinganeans for receiving the button and for engaging the bar of the button, means for rotating .said device to permit said engaging' means to `engage thebar oft-he button and thereafter'to rotate-said device and button untilth'e latter occupies a predetermined position, anda carrier `for receiving the buttony from said posit-ioningfdevice and transferring thebutton to atlixing position with the bar thereof located to re-l ceive the fastener.v j f 4. In a machine for aiiixing bar buttons,

button positioning mechanism comprising,

in combination, a cylindrical member arranged to Lreciprocate within a support and having a recess therein adaptedtofreceive the collet of a button, and a projection in said recess for engaging the bar of the button, means including a spiral groove in said member for causing said member to rotate to permit said projection to engage the bar of a Vbutton and rotate the button until the bar is in a predetermined position, and

means for arresting the rotation ofV said member when the bar of the button is in said predetermined position.

5. In a machine for aihxing bar buttons, button positioning mechanism comprising, in combination, a cylindrical member arranged to reciprocate within a support and having a recess therein adapted to receive the collet of a. button, means including a spiral groove in said member for rotating the latter as it reciprocates in said support, said member having a projection in said recess for engaging the bar of the button, means for placing a button on said member, mechanism for moving said member in said support after it has received a button, a device for exerting friction on the button, and means for arresting the rotation of said member in a predetermined position.

6. In amachine for aiiixing bar buttons, button positioning mechanism comprising, in combination, a cylindrical member arranged to reciprocate in a support and having a recess therein adapted to receive-the collet of a button, means including a spiral groove `in said member for rotating the latter as it reciprocates in said support, said member having a projection in said recess :t'or engaging the bar of the button, means for placing a button on said member, mechanism for moving said member in said sleeve after it has received a button, a plunger for resiliently pressing against said button as said positioning mechanism moves, and a straight groove at the end of saidk spiral groove whereby the rotation Vof said button is arrested when the bar thereof is in a predetermined position.

7. In a machine for aiiixing bar buttons or the like, the combination of atiixing mechanism, including means for delivering a fastener to the atxing point, a button positioning device comprising a rotary member having means for receiving a button and engaging the bar thereof, said member arranged to be raised and lowered and having means including a spiral groove for rotating it as it is raised or lowered, means for placing a button on said member, a lever for lowering said member whereby the latter is rotated, means for arrestingthe rota.- tion of said member when the bar of the button is in a predetermined position, and a carrier for removing thebutton from the member in its lowered position and carrying it to the aiiixing point, said lever arranged to raise said member to receive an-'v other button. v 4

. 8. In a machineA for aiiixing bar buttons, button positioning mechanism comprising a cylindrical member provided with a recess to receive the collet of a button and with a spiral groove, means on said member for engaging the bar of the button, means for reciprocating said member, and means entering said spiral groove for causing rotation ot said member as the same is reciprocated. Y

9. In a button afiXing machine, the combination comprising aiiixing mechanism, mechanism ior delivering a button to said aiiixing mechanism, arbutton supply device, and a button adjusting means for moving Isaid button from said supply device to a position for engagement by said delivery mechanism and adjusting said button tol a predetermined position.

10. In a-button amxing machine, the combination comprising aiiiXing mechanism, mechanism fordelivering a button to said aiiixing mechanism, a button supply device, and a button adjusting means for moving said button from said supply device to a position for engagement by said delivery mechanism and simultaneously adjusting said button to a predetermined position.

1l. 4In a button aiiixing machine, the combination of aiiixing mechanism, mechanism for placing a button in operative relation with said afxing mechanism, a rotary positioning device for carrying a button to present it to the placing mechanism, and for adjusting said button to a predetermined position while being carried by said rotary device.

l2. In a button afiixing machine, the combination comprising aiiixing mechanism, mechanism Jfor delivering a button to said atHXing mechanism, a button supply device, and means for receiving a'button from. said `supply device, adjusting it to a predetermined position and holding it in position to bel removed by .said delivery mechanism.

13; In a button aiiixing machine, the combination comprising aiiixing mechanism, a button supply device, and but-ton adjusting means orreceiving a button from the supply device, presenting it for delivery to the aiiixing mechanism adjusted to a predetermined position and holding the same in such adjusted position until removed from said adjusting means. i

In testimony whereof, I havesigned my name'to this specification.

`FRANK F. LANGLEY. 

